The Longest Night of Charlie Noon

by Christopher Edge

This heart-pounding mystery-adventure follows three kids who get lost in the woods at night and experience something they cannot quite explain.

Secrets, spies, or maybe even a monster . . . what lies in the heart of the woods? Charlie Noon and Dizzy Heron are determined to find out. When their nemesis, Johnny Baines, plays a prank on them and night falls without warning, all three end up lost in the woods, trapped in a nightmare. Unforeseen dangers and impossible puzzles lurk in the shadows. Like it or not, Charlie and Dizzy must work with Johnny if they are to find a way out. But time can be tricky. . . . What if the night never ends?

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Time Travel, Adventure, Science Fiction, Family, Childrens

176 pages, Hardcover

First published June 6, 2019

Reviews

[Graine Milner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed Christopher Edge's other books and had been looking forward to this. It features his usual blend of science-fiction and relationships, but this one for some reason didn't work as well for me. Sometimes there's a fine line between there being a mystery and just being plain confusing, and in this case I mostly just felt confused. Everything is tied up neatly in the end and there are some heart-warming thoughts to take away about how everybody's actions affect the future. I just needed rather more perseverance than usual to get there.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a pleasant surprise. It’s a weird mix of sci fi, mystery, and horror. The atmosphere is excellent, the way it builds is excellent, the characters are excellent. It’s really short, being a kid’s book, but I highly recommend it to all ages and fans of all genres. I don’t want to spoil anything by explaining further. Excellent craftsmanship!



Language: Clean
Sexual Content: None
Violence/Gore: Mild
Harm to Animals: None
Harm to Children: injuries
Other (Triggers): bullying/teasing; death from war

[Dana Cristiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this story!
Started a bit slow, but only because of me.

Charlie, Dizzy and Johnny get lost in the woods. Then weird things start happening.
Time shifts and they must get out of the forest as quickly as possible...but not before learning a few lessons.

I loved the discussion about time and the "Cronos" easter egg. The author put a lot of research into this.
It was eerie and unsettling at times, but so amazing and smart!

I really wish more people would try this author out. I know for sure I want to read more books written by him. :)

[Christina Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mind-bending in the absolute best way, this is yet another triumph from Christopher Edge.
The story starts with three children going into the woods behind their school to look at what appears to be a message in code. Then strange things start happening, the path is lost and it gets dark. Can they find their way home, when even the moon and stars seem to have changed above them?
Each chapter builds suspense and I found myself reading faster and faster as it hurtled towards a conclusion.
The blend of science, philosopy and history, paired with characters who you instantly care about, makes this a winner, particularly for any readrrs (young or old!) who have enjoyed Christopher's previous books. The author's notes at the end give more information about the inspiration behind the book and made me want to read it all over again!
Thank you so much to Nosy Crow for my proof copy -everyone else look out for this in June!
Full review will be on the blog closer to publication date.

[Mathew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forests and woods have long been places of magic, risk and danger: liminal spaces between safety and the unknown; landscapes you traverse with caution and stay clear of when night descends. In exploring these intersections of memory, story and place, Christopher Edge opens his own tale with a blended phrase long associated with the fey and the folkloric yet daubed with a splash of the modern urban myth:

My full review is here.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

made me cry while getting my oil changed.

[P.M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the other books I have read by this author. This one just did not hold my attention.

[Alice Maton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. There was a lot to keep up with but the description and imagines in my head allowed me to understand the progress of this story. It could be an opportunity for children to draw the different scenes if they are finding it difficult to follow. It is definitely for UKS2 as there are elements that are suspenseful and a tad scary.
It is about a child, Charlie, who has just moved house and school and a friend tells her of secret messages left in the woods and so after school they go to explore and work out what this message means. The school bully scares them, they run and all get lost. This part reminds me so much of Stephen King's novel 'In the tall grass' hence the scary part. All directions they turns seems to lead them further in with no clear way out, strange things start to appear and happen, even the sky and horizon is different so they feel they can never get out. They have to solve messages which relate to WWII: morse code, an enigma machine, flag codes. And strange 'hallucinations' start to happen.
There is no logical reasoning for what happened in that woods but they definitely came out different children.
There is mention of family issues at home and how this can toll on a child.
Also, throughout most of the book, i thought Charlie was a boy. The name and illustrations I think swayed this, but it shows the assumptions we make and a lot of adventure novels having the protagonist as boy. Going that far through the book and being genderless is impressive and it was a surprised when we found charlie is a girl. A great discussion to have.

[Lisa - *OwlBeSatReading* · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was not at all what I was expecting.

A delightful child-like premise, presented with writing so detailed and magical, it was utterly absorbing.

It has left me wondering how Christopher Edge thought of this concept and put it together in a way that would hook both children and adults alike.

I think what a 10 year old would get from it would be nothing like what I, a 45 year old has got.

I would recommend this book to everyone, it is very thought provoking and emotional as well as entertaining and educational. I have learnt so much, and for that Mr Edge, I thank you.

One of my favourite paragraphs, among the many was;

"I think it's funny that people all look so different on the outside, but inside our heads our brains all look the same. I can't help thinking it should be the other way round as it's the thoughts inside our heads that make us unique".

A truly unique story, recommended for ages 10-110.

Gorgeous cover too, as well as chapter art which I always appreciate.

I'd like to thank Enchanted Books and the author for this book, which I was lucky enough to win in a Twitter giveaway.

The Fruit and Nut chocolate bar I was sent with it was almost as fantastic as the story.

[Nate Hipple · Rating 2 out of 5]

Frequently, a wonderfully told mystery can be destroyed by a terrible solution. Rarely, a poorly told mystery can be redeemed by a great solution. This is a case of the latter. It's really the sort of book you need some background knowledge on when you go into it or it all feels like disassociated chaos. Things just happen and the author isn't interested in establishing anything--character, setting, even genre. What eventually ties it together is neat, but it doesn't particularly excuse the slapdash first 80%. I was expecting Mysterious Benedict Society meets Hatchet, but it was rather a group of flat characters wandering in the woods while random things happen and they solve the world's easiest riddles before getting hit with both a science fiction and historical fiction twist.

[stefiereads · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet and brave story about 3 kids who got lost in the woods, it’s a story that has WW2 theme in it, but at the same time it is not. It’s a story about time, about feeling lost, about life, about being brave in times when we feel so small and helpless.

Honestly, I was expecting something a bit spooky for autumn, but this one is not spooky or creepy. However it did not disappoint :) I still enjoy it!

I have to tell you that, our main character, CHARLIE, IS A GIRL. I didn’t know until it’s close to the end. I just want to make it clear because I imagined Charlie as boy and didn’t realise it until the end that Charlie is a girl 🙈 kind of shocking but it didn’t annoy me as much. But yeah... keep this in mind!

*Thank you to publishers for sending me a copy of this book :)

[Nikki · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars to a middle grade that I sort of enjoyed, but also didn’t like the way it purposefully tried to trick the reader.

The fantasy element and the sort of mystery of what was going on were both very enjoyable, and I liked Charlie as a main character.

I didn’t like that there’s sort of asides about her home life that get no resolution and the way the setting is deceiving. I can’t decide if that would would better to a young reader or not though.

The writing and characters are good, my rating is based on the sneakiness of it, so don’t be put off :)

[Jack Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fired through this book in like 2 hours. It’s a easy read and did have me guessing. I have really enjoyed the authors other books as I have been buying them for my class.

This one was really interesting, it’s got a great message attached to it and it tells it using characters that I think people will understand.

I’m not sure how the kids in my class will enjoy this one, they may not have the prior knowledge or ability to connect to it as well as some of his other novels, but I will make it work for them through my teaching.

[Allison Noble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming story about 3 children who get lost in a wood. New author for me and I will definitely be reading more of his work and add some to my classroom library. Highly recommend for readers aged 9-12.

[17gjinim229]

Boys called dizzy, Johnny and Charlie go Into the wood to find out the truth and work out the mystery of the woods but when old crony comes, it’s impossible to hide.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

Certainly not what I expected.

[A Severs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trippy! Mind-bending! A WW2 novel that isn't really a WW2 novel. So much to think about long after finishing the book.

[Runningrara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book with more whimsy than science as Edge's latest story ponders the concept of time. As always, a great ending as everything falls into place.

[Candace Barnard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cool story that I definitely recommend for young teens.

It was not what I expected at all when I picked up the book, but it was really thought evoking, suspenseful and cleverly written.

A great adventure with a bit of Magic and a touching ending, this book teaches us about friendships, rough childhoods and most of all to always cherish what you have.

[Dylan Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first, having finished this novel, I thought I was let down. As an adult, I still think I am, because I wanted more inside the universe of this novel, more connecting the various twists in plot. But I think this is one of the most beautiful middle grade books I've read in a while, introducing readers to the format of mystery, human tragedy, and the two world wars in an easily digestible format.

[Madeleine Amos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can Charlie, Johnny and Dizzy find their way out of the woods? The more puzzles and spooky riddles they come across, the more Charlie feels like this night may never end...
A twisty tale full of suspense, surprises and science.

[Mary Rees · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are brave enough to enter these woods … you will be utterly mesmerised as you are taken on the most intriguing journey full of twists, puzzles and incredible mind-blowing discoveries! This is a book that is perfect for a one-sitting read and epitomises the phrase ‘page-turner’.
With two references to time in the title, I feel the story offers a fascinating exploration of concepts in time which made me think of the Mobius Time Loop. When and where in time are the three children? There is so much to explore, but I don’t want to give anything away – suffice to say, nothing is ever as it seems!
One afternoon, three children get lost in the woods … and find a seemingly endless night! Johnny is the bully; Charlie is the new kid in town; and Dizzy, a polio survivor, is Charlie’s only friend.
Curiosity leads two of the friends into the woods … and Johnny follows. Dizzy has seen sticks arranged into a secret code the previous day and wants his friend to help solve the mystery! Johnny tells them Old Crony lives in the woods and he is someone to be feared. The children’s heightened anticipation of Old Crony, together with the inspired use of sights and sounds, creates a real sense of foreboding with palpable fear building, leading to frantic and desperate actions as the children try desperately to run from their fear and their fate …
I found the woods both horrifying and fascinating, almost like a living entity, driven with an inexorable purpose for the children, a purpose that once realised left me stunned and in awe of the story-telling.
Incredible heart-stopping moments, spine-tingling twists, and seeming impossibilities made me desperate to keep reading. For me, the use of cliff hangers at the end of most of the chapters makes it the perfect classroom read!
This is a perfect spine-tingler of a story which took me on the most incredible journey of exploration and discovery!

[jess (bibliophilicjester) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my third book by Edge, and I'm kind of sad I only own one more of his books right now. I read most of this late last night because it felt like the kind of book you should read when it's dark. Because creepy woods! Yes.

Through random events that were no one's fault, I knew part of a/the twist going in. It actually wasn't so bad though because I picked up on things along the way I stead of having a reveal at the end and having to think back for the clues. It was pretty clever, and I know the length is short anyway, but Edge's books def have that compulsive readability for me.

Most if not all his books have a sort of science behind the book section at the end, which is fun for some background. It's always interesting to me when people can explain complex things in a really straightforward way. That said, this does have more of maybe a magical realism feel, or scifi even (as opposed to being rooted in real scientific theory). In the acknowledgements, Edge lists a bunch of books that he'd read that either inspired or somehow informed this book. I've read and really enjoyed one already, so I'm definitely treating that list as a recommendation section! But it gives some stuff away, so def don't read it first.

I liked the ending, even if it did lean a bit preachy and sweet. Or heavy handed is maybe what I mean.

A thing that annoyed me might be a spoiler I guess, though it has nothing to do with the plot. The nature of the story is to figure out what's going on as the characters do, so there are little revelations throughout. It was a really interesting read and I'm glad I read it at night!!

Believathon: 5-star prediction. (sort of. For me it's more like 4-5 star prediction bc I'm stingy with 5 star ratings. Although, Maisie Day by Edge got an easy 5 stars!!)
EDIT: I've decided to double up/revisit November books, so I'm using this for
Clear your shit: a book you forget (literally remembered nothing going in haha)

Do I know how to do a spoiler tag? I'll try it. If not, spoilers ahead. Sort of.


I didn't like how about 60 pages in maybe? we get this big reveal that charlie is a girl. It's from her pov and the synopsis doesn't use pronouns, and I started noticing how gender was never mentioned. Which is when I figured were supposed to assume she's a boy and be shocked to find out she's a girl. I just don't like how it was treated like a secret to be revealed. Why does it matter? It really didn't sit right with me.

Also, there's a code one character knows how to decipher and makes a big deal about, don't tell anyone I showed you this code. Then goes on to reveal the secret organization who uses said code and the names of a bunch of members. What?!?! Terrible secret keeper wow.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charlie Noon and Dizzy Heron would certainly not be counted among the popular kids in their class or school. But at least the two friends have each other. When they go exploring in the woods in search of the monster or spy that is rumored to inhabit them, they don't really expect to find either one. But it's fun to play and imagine themselves as heroes. They follow clues and startle at bird sounds as they head deeper into the woods. Maybe they're smarter and braver than they thought they were. That is until Johnny Baines plays a trick on them, and they become frightened out of their wits. As night falls and the three of them are completely lost in the woods, strange voices and experiences start to question where they are and what's happening. For a brief period of time, they are somewhere else, and their lives are in danger. The only thing that can save them is teaming up. I especially liked how the author gives readers a glimpse into Charlie's home life and concerns and how the story wraps up, making it clear what lies ahead for these three survivors. The author holds back some surprises about Charlie that add to the book's interest level. As the suspense in the story builds, readers may feel confused about what's happening and how that could be as well as how this long, long night will come to an end, but notes in the backmatter provide helpful information about codes, the speed of light, and time.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Talk about a genre hybrid! I think you would be hard pressed to fit this into a particular genre or mode of storytelling. Charlie & Dizzy decide to go into the Woods when Dizzy discovers a coded message there. Johnny warns them that Old Crony lives in the woods and eats children but Charlie thinks he is just trying to scare them. But is he or is there really something otherwordly in the woods?

I read this because I'm trying to find good, creepy books for my sixth graders to read. This definitely is creepy--mysterious creature + dark woods + mystical things that happen in the dark of night = creepy.

But it's also a sci-fi novel as the plot hinges on manipulated time.

I found the book quite philosophical & confusing but also fairly creepy. I'm still trying to figure out what type of a reader would best appreciate this book. It's not as scary as straightforward horror novels, nor is it in-your-face sciency for those wanting a sci-fi book. The sci-fi elements are revealed during the last 1/4 of the book.

Content Notes:

Swearing/Profanity: None

Sex/Sexual references: None

LGBTQ + rep: Not specified

Religious elements: There is a brief mention that one character's family goes to Mass.

Other things to know: The author mentions evolution on pg. 67-68 very briefly.

Could a conservative Christian school library add this title in?

Yes

[Mary Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edge plays with the concept of time and perception in this gripping, eerie tale. And he does so in a completely compelling way that causes readers, almost in spite of themselves, to think of time and space differently. Are these three children; very different in personality; simply lost in the woods, or are they lost in time? As the surrounding area becomes more mysterious, time seems to fold over on itself and reveals something of their own nature. Yet within the complexity of this concept, there lies a simple. clear childhood adventure. The wild, fresh imaginings of the young sit beautifully within Einsteins' theory of the past, the present and the future existing simultaneously. What is real? When is 'once upon a time?' And will cold, hard facts; will science and evidence ever be able to explain what is happening? Charlie shines as a clever, thoughtful character with much depth and a lot going on in life. The reader only has little clues to reveal exactly how much, but this allows for personal interpretation. Clues, and a glorious story to get lost in, leaving us with a satisfied smile and much to think about. Ingenious, imaginative and brilliant...I really love Christopher Edges' books, and this one is pure gold.

[MBenzz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two things I want to tell anyone whose about to read this that I wish I had know when I started it...

1. Charlie Noon is a GIRL (Charlie is short for Charlotte)

2. The year is 1933

That's it. I don't feel like either of these things are spoilers.

I mention the first because I read this thinking Charlie was an 11 year old boy, and about 35% of the way through the story, I find out he is a SHE. COMPLETELY took me out of the story and really pissed me off. Here I was with a whole image in my head of Charlie, Dizzy and Johnny lost in the woods, and I found out I had the sex of the main character all wrong for a third of the book.

The second is helpful because I had no idea if this took place today or before WWII. It becomes clear as the story progresses, but still, it would have been nice to know beforehand.

Overall, this is an amazingly sweet story, and I highly recommend it to people of all ages, but especially middle graders. I felt I would have enjoyed this book a thousand times more had I not been mislead about the main characters gender. It's jarring to realize the image in your head is completely wrong.

That aside though, great story.

[BooksForTopics · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atmospheric, intelligent and thought-provoking, this is the kind of story that leaps out and yells 'surprise!' every time you feel sure you have a handle on it.

Three children get lost in the woods and desperately try to help each other to find their way home before the legendary Old Crony - who they say eats children - makes an appearance.

Tapping into the natural world around them and putting their code-cracking know how to good use, the children find clues in the rhythm of birdsong and shapes of the sticks on the floor.

Suspense builds with every page and the usual rules of time seem to become increasingly distorted as the story progresses.

Once again, Christopher Edge weaves science and philosophy into a gripping child-centred story that keeps the reader guessing and puzzling until the very end.

Many thanks to the publisher for sending me an advance review copy of this book. The full review will appear on the Booksfortopics blog near the time of publication.

[Amy (Golden Books Girl) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of three children- Charlie, Dizzy and Johnnie- who get lost in the woods when night falls unexpectedly, and their journey of finding the way out. I became very attached to all three children, even though Charlie was my favourite, thanks to how brave and determined they were in the face of danger. This felt so high stakes and fast paced due to the way in which time passes in the woods, and it was very tricky to put this down when I was so engrossed by the different obstacles and challenges the trio were facing. As ever with Christopher Edge, this blends science and story and fact and fiction in such a clever way, and is a thought-provoking read as well as a highly entertaining one. I don`t want to say too much else about this though, as I thought the reveals throughout this and the end were fantastic (I especially loved the epilogue!) and I don`t want to spoil any of it. 4.5/5

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christopher Edge’s books deal with big issues of time, space and philosophy. Charlie Noon at the beginning of this book is struggling at school and at home. Charlie’s parents are constantly fighting, even though they have just moved from London for a new start as Dad has lost his job. Charlie and new friend Dizzy set out to explore some “spy” clues that Dizzy believes he has found in the woods. Followed by the school bully Johnny the trio subsequently find that they are no longer in their own world of time and space and they can’t find their way home. The woods are dark, mysterious, full of strangers and potential life-threatening situations. This is an exciting, edge of the seat read that will engage readers who love the challenge of reading about alternative time paths and life’s big questions.

Suitable for 9+

Teacher’s Resources: https://nosycrow.com/wp-content/uploa...